Following footprints

4 June 2014

 

Yesterday three of us went to the District Headquarters of Changlang District to register our motorbikes. The road was far, about 120km/3.5 hrs ride. Unfortunately, the concerned authorities were not in office. They have gone to Jairampur to check vehicles and also to do on spot registration.

 

On our way back there was heavy rainfall that made the semi-muddy road slippery. I noticed that when my fellow travelers went ahead of me, they left behind a clear print of the tyres. I thought, they don’t see those prints but I see them very well. And I don’t see my own prints behind me.

 

This reminded me of a passage from the Bible: Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ (I Corinthians 11:1, ASV). A simplified version of this verse says, Do as I do, for I am doing as Christ did. Other people clearly see what we do. They can easily see them. Words may cheat others and us, but not our action!

Overtaking

4 June 2014

 

Yesterdays bike ride to Changlang (Arunachal Pradesh, India) brought another image. The roads in Arunachal are in bad shape, especially those between Miao to Jagun. Very rarely we could travel at 50km/hr! I noticed wherever the roads are a bit better, the larger vehicles travel faster that the motorbikes. But wherever the roads are bumpy and full gutters, they take much longer time to slow down and pick up speed again. Whereas, my motorcycle can stop faster and regain speed ahead of them.

 

Then I thought, there are some “big people” for whom turning from their mistakes is much harder. They  are afraid to acknowledge and ask for forgiveness. They care much about their reputation and public image. But for “small people” there is not much to loss.

 

This may have a parallel from the recent State Assembly Election held on 9 April. Some of the heavy-weight politicians lost to junior opponents. I was surprised to hear Setong Sena of Jairampur lost to his Personal Assistant and C. C. Singpho to a contestant from Itanagar area. Surprised… Are this loss connected to mistakes they have committed and have not rectified immediately?

 

People in higher ladder have much more to care and be careful. If they don’t, someone else will overtake by surprise.